Kazakhstan women have medalled in both of the previous women’s rugby sevens events at the Asian Games, and are hoping this year to be no different.
In 2010 the struck gold, while fours later it was bronze.
And in 2018, Kazakhstan are aiming to continue the ‘honour’ of winning another medal.
Asia Rugby spoke with coach Valerii Popov ahead of the competition where they will face Thailand, hosts Indonesia and Japan in the pool stages.
“The Asian Games is a very important competition for the Kazakhstan women’s sevens team and the biggest event in many of their lives,” said Popov.
“The team prepared hard, have had two training camps and international competitions in Europe. We have some young and very perspective players in our squad.
“The games will judge everyone on the playing field. Each team has strength and weaknesses and we will try to remove our weaknesses as much as possible.
“Our main advantage is a great desire and thirst for the games. Now we are part of a bigger Kazakhstan team family here in Jakarta. We are supporting all sportsmen and overwhelmed with victories. The first days of Asian Games showed a lot of medal surprises and we hope to become one of them.”
Captain Anna Yakovleva also shared Popov’s desire to medal at the Games.
“To win an Asian Games medal would be a big honuor to every team. To win a gold medal, it’s a dream of every player and coach, because the whole country is supporting the team. This is our main goal for the Asian Games in 2018.
Asian Games Rugby Sevens Event >>>>>Fixtures and Results
Asian Games Rugby Sevens: Kazakhstan Women
1. Stepanyuga Veronika 2. Normatova Nigora 3. Proskurina Karina
4. Bekker Yeva 5. Odnoletok Vlada 6. Teryayeva Olessya
7. Baktybayeva Kundyzay 8. Yakovleva Anna (c) 9. Klyuchnikova Svetlana (vc)
10. Koishybaeva Balzhan 11. Tkachyova Darya 12. Korotkikh Lyudmila
